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2017 Primitivo

Hendry Block 24 is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. This 1.96-acre block is approximately 200 feet above sea level and has thin, stony Boomer series soils (material weathered from metavolcanic rock). The maritime climate is moderated by morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay. The vines in Block 24 were planted in 1997 using St. George roots and grafted with U.C. Davis Primitivo Clone 3. The vines are spaced 6.9’ x 5’, cordon-trained and spur-pruned. The vines in Block 10 were planted with the same clone in 2003. A vertical trellis system supports the cordon and the canopy.

Alcoholic fermentation was completed in approximately ten days in closed, stainless steel fermentation tanks. After completing alcoholic fermentation, the wine was pressed and put into barrels for malo-lactic fermentation. Aging was fifteen months in French oak barrels, approximately one-third of which were new.

Primitivo may be a “new” variety to many, but its roots go back hundreds of years to Croatia, where it originated, along with its more familiar genetic twin: Zinfandel. Zinfandel and Primitivo share common parentage, and are essentially synonymous, though Primitivo is associated with Puglia, Italy, where it is commonly grown, and Zinfandel with California.
Hendry Primitivo is a fruit-driven wine, with moderate tannins and the round, berry-dominated palate that is characteristic of the Zinfandel family.